King Charles III takes his coronation oath by placing his hand on the Holy Gospel.
Anointing ceremony for Charles III underway
The archbishop of Canterbury begins the anointment ceremony by pouring a special oil from the Ampulla – a gold flask – on to the Coronation Spoon.
King Charles III will then be anointed in the form of a cross.
Archbishop of Canterbury delivers address
Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury delivers a sermon at the coronation ceremony saying that everyone “is here to crown a king to serve.”
“What is given today is for the gain of all, for Jesus Christ announced a kingdom in which the poor and oppressed are free from the chains of injustice, the blind see the bruised and broken-hearted and healed that kingdom, sets the aims of all righteous government, all authority. The kingdom also sets the means of all government and authority. For Jesus doesn’t grasp or hold onto status,” he preached.
“The king of kings, Jesus Christ, was anointed not to be served, but to serve. He creates the unchangeable law of good authority that with the privilege of power comes the duty to serve. Service is love in action. We see love in our care for the most vulnerable, the way we encourage the young in the conversation of the natural world,” he added.
First Welsh language performance at a coronation ceremony
Coronation Kyrie marks the first Welsh language song to be performed at the coronation.
The choir, joined by opera and concert singer Sir Bryn Terfel, performed the Kyrie in Welsh a few moments before King Charles III took his oath at the coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey.
The choir also sang the Alleluia, newly commissioned by Debbie Wiseman, as a part of the ceremony.
UK Prime Minister delivers a reading
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a reading from the Epistle to the Colossians, from the New Testament, after Charles III pledged his coronation oath.
“That ye might walk worthy unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and and long suffering with joyfulness,” he said in his address.
Charles III takes his coronation oath
King Charles III takes his coronation oath by placing his hand on the Holy Gospel.
He pledges to “perform and keep” his promises and takes an oath stressing that he is a “faithful Protestant”.
The Archbishop of Canterbury administered his coronation oath at the ceremony in Westminster Abbey.
King Charles arrives Westminster Abbey for coronation
The King and Queen have arrived at Westminster Abbey to mark the start of his historic coronation ceremony just moments away.
Several senior members of the Royal family have entered the venue.
His siblings — Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew — have all taken their seats.
Queen Camilla’s family arrived at the Abbey, including her former husband Andrew Parker-Bowles and her daughter Laura Lopes and son Tom Parker-Bowles.
In a slight deviation from tradition, the couple are processing to the ceremony in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach drawn by six Windsor Grey horses. They are being accompanied on the 1.3-mile route by four divisions of the sovereign’s most trusted bodyguards, the Household Cavalry.
Each division consists of 24 horses with two divisions of the Blues and Royals at the front, and two divisions of the Life Guards following.
The procession is being led by the Household Cavalry Mounted Band – that’s 48 horses and musicians, who will play eight marches as they travel the route.
The coach’s interior is immaculately upholstered in primrose yellow silk and inlaid with materials tied to Britain and its history.
“It’s a real microcosm of British and world history. There’re woods from the royal residences, from explorations and from other countries and nations as well,” explained Sally Goodsir, the Royal Collection Trust’s curator of decorative arts ahead of today’s celebrations.
Prince Harry has arrived at the ceremony, among the first group of royals to enter the Abbey.
- Newsnow.co.uk
